The Indianapolis journal., 1887-07-04
The Uses ana Abuses of Music

At the Fourth Presbyterian Church, last even
ing, Rev. g. l.. McNutt preached on '"rhe Uses
and Abuses of Music" from the text: 'The
harps of God and the song of Moses and the
lamb"
Music" Mr.. McNutt said, sis God given and
should be used for the honor Of God That mu-
sic is gift of God is shown in the fact proven
by history that the origin and development of
music has been discovery, not an invention.
That string will vbrate in sections and sub
sections, giving full tone. discovered, not
invented. by Terpander. That notes varying in
the lengths of vibration from forty-one per Sec
ond Of the double bass to 4, 752 of the piccolo.
travel at the same rates, max
ing harmony, in a law of nature and
nature is God. That music is of God is shown
above all things in the wonderful provision he
has made for the perception of musical tones
There was need for wonderful organ as
the ear TO hear spoken language. The vestibule
to gather the sound the elaborate aby rinths that
roll it outward, the brain, the 5000 ibres of
cert, each tuned to particular note justify the
theology of the aSod Calvinist, who claimed that
music was predestinated of God
Tho use of music for the glory of
God, SAID Mr.. McNutt ''does not mean in the
worship of God alone. Mrs Havergal would
only use her beautiful voice to sing strictly sa-
cred songs. This her theory of consecra-
tion. 1t Is ones sided theory. 1t is the same
religious mIsconception that regards Sunday as
religious and Monday irreligious day;
attendance at prayer meeting a religious
duty. and attendance to business irreligious
duty. All life, all duties religious. Paul
says: Whether ye eat or drink, do all to the
glory OF God Music, find in the Bible,
was used 10 worship, war and socially. The
only limit to social music, elees, operas, vocal,
instrumental, is that it shall be pure as He is
pure am glad that the coming week is grand
FESTIVAL of music where man go with his
wife aud family without blush.
'Inere Is an almost universal tendency to link
music with sensualitv. There is taste that
assumes the name of high art-an art born and
bred In hell-that drags into the opera
the ballet essential 1t Is a
shame that music should be prosti-
tuted. The objections are not moral alone.
IL is an offense to music as such. 1 feel like
thanking God for the bankruptcy of the Ameri-
Opera. / hope it will be annually bank
rupted until the grand ballet of ninety shall be
stricken from the programme and every dollar
60 to music alone. 1t is for America TO be the
home of a purified music. l hope that evsrv
Christian vii! be limited in his attendance upon
the concerts by his purse alone Go and give to
the glorious music of chorus and orchestra such
a patronage that men will see that there is moro
money in bidding for the earnest support of
Christians than that of the musical fraud who
must have the ballet to relieve the tai strain
nr that other abomination. that reprobate of
hue art who disdains all considerations of NOR
hls, asking only, is il artistic2 Go, and the
music rolls you. washing away the dust of
cornet, kettle-drum and chorus blend
into mighty wave of harmony,
in that moment of supreme emotion, time and
space forgot, catch glimpse OF heaven, when.
with the harp Of God IN hand. the redeemed
shall join in the hallelujah chorus of the song of
the Lamb. saying, Great and marvellous thy
works, Lord God Almighty The men and